If you are wondering how to set up a blog and what the best way to create a blog is-then you have come to the right document! I’ll give you advice on which method(s) to use to create your blog depending on what kind of blog you want, whether you desire to make income from it, and how long you want to dedicate to setting up your blog.

Topics that I will help you with will be:

1. When to make a blog using a hosted blog site (like blogger.com or WordPress.com) or to create a blog using a blog platform (like WordPress.org, Typepad, Blogsmith, Movable Type).

2. Comparing hosted blog websites–Blogger vs. WordPress.com.

3. Comparing the WordPress.org blog platform to additional blog platforms.

4. Whether you should learn HTML, CSS, or some Programming.

5. What’s the best option to make money with your blog.

So read on if you desire to learn about making a kick butt blog!

Hosted Blog vs. Host Your Own Blog

Option 1) Use a shared domain blog

A shared domain blog is a type of blog costs nothing to host. You can set these up at https://www.blogger.com/start, http://wordpress.com/, etc. If you want to use this option, you’ll be creating what is called a “shared domain blog” because there will be a .blogspot or .wordpress after your blog’s domain name like http://nameofyourblog.blogspot.com or http://nameofyourblog.wordpress.com. Making a blog with a hosted blog is very simple to make and free. You can actually have a blog up and running within a couple minutes if you use blogger.com or wordpress.com!

Blogger vs. WordPress

If you are trying to figure out which to use– I’ll tell you that both are very simple to use and set up. In my opinion, blogger is a little more user friendly while WordPress is a little more pleasant to look at. Also, Blogger.com has nice ways to simply use Google AdSense Ads within your blog so you can earn money but WordPress is a little more customizable.

Option 2) Use a Host (that you pay for) to Host Your Site

If you decide to use this option you would use a blog platform (like WordPress–*from WordPress.org and not WordPress.com) and you pay a web host to place your blog on their servers. So then why would you want to pay and use a host you have to pay for you could use at blogger.com or worpress.com and host your blog for free? Actually, there’s several reasons:

1. You have more control over how your blog is designed.

2. You can monetize your site much better (more monetization options = more money for you!)

3. You’re blog will look more original-giving you more credibility.

If you are thinking about setting up a blog using this way the good news is it is pretty simple to do. Blog platforms can be uploaded to a server and created in a matter of minutes. There’s instructions on how to do this at all of the blog platform’s sites (ex. wordpress.org).

If You Want To Set Up Your Blog with a Host–do this:

1. Go to the host’s website and sign up for a hosting plan.

2. The majority of good hosts will place a one click installation button on their site for different blog platforms (like WordPress, Typepad, Blogsmith, Movable Type)-so just click that and you’re ready to start blogging (it’s that easy)!

*If the host you choose does not let you use a one click installation option for the blog platform you want to have, just follow these instructions:

1. Download a blogging platform (like WordPress (from WordPress.org), Typepad, Blogsmith, Movable Type, etc) from their different websites.

2. Start an account with a host.

3. Upload your blog platform to the host you choose.

4. Start blogging!

WordPress vs. the Rest:

I have tried out many blogging platforms and Content Management Systems (CMS) over the years and I have determined that the best blog platform is WordPress. It is very user friendly, it has a huge network of people using it (and updating it and pointing out any problems it has to developers), there are tons of helpful websites and forums to assist you if are having problems, and there are a lot of ways to easily customize your blog. Also, WordPress is venturing out and creating more complex features that other blog platforms don’t have. So, if you may want to make your blog to look more like a website that includes things like forums, shopping carts, or other advanced aspects–Wordpress is the blog platform for you. Also, WordPress one of the most easy blog platforms to put together.

Should You Learn HTML, CSS, or Programming?

If your blog’s at blogger or WordPress you do not need to learn these skills. Learning a couple basic codes for HTML will help customize your blog sometimes but you can always look for a certain code online when you want to do something on your blog. But, Set up your blog using a blog platform (like WordPress from WordPress.org) teaching yourself some HTML will definitely go a long way. I wouldn’t suggest spend a lot of time learning it however if you have a very basic skill set you can do a lot with your blog. *note-you can still set up a great blog without ever teaching yourself HTML, CSS, or Programming.

Make Money While Blogging?

Some bloggers can make a great living from just one blog! However, if you just want to blog about your life, a subject, or to get a reader base for an issue–than setting up a blog using a hosted blog site (like wordpess.com or blogger.com) is probably your best bet. Hosted blog sites are very easy to use and you don’t have to pay for hosting. That way you can just blog and not waste time with administrative things. However, if you want to create a blog to make money than creating a blog with a blog platform (like WordPress.org) is your best option because blog platforms give you many more ways to customize your blog, all the ways you can use ads on your blog, and what types of features you can use with the blog.

I’m hoping that this article has helped you figure out the ways to make a blog. Blogging is a very fulfilling hobby but the best thing about this hobby is that it makes me a lot of money! Surprisingly there are many easy methods to earn money with your blog that will make you income for many years. If you are interested in learning how to blog and earn money, about the five major pitfalls bloggers get themselves into, and how to decide on a niche for your blog then check out this free report at my website! This has got to be the best free report out there and it is made by Jason Gazaway- a 26 year old blogging legend who earns tens of thousands of dollars a month from blogging.

–article by Steve Sick from “How To Set Up A Blog“

If you have spent the time and money following your dream or goal of one day being a web designer or working hard towards a web design degree, you might just be waking up now to the reality of your situation.  Due to the current state of the economy, web industry, international business and many other factors, the web design world will not you let enter this market easily. Outsourcing may seem a bit intimidating at first and you might even have a moral conflict with it but you really shouldn’t if you are serious about making money one day. What’s happening is the United States is open for business for anyone with an internet connection and the ability to speak English. Since HTML, CSS, PHP, MySQL, JavaScript and most other web based technologies have free online tutorials this makes web design one of the most competitive industries ever. Beat the odds and begin outsourcing now.

From a project manager’s point of view, web design, development and marketing are really close to home development and construction.  The article  “Web Property Development” explains how both the web industry and construction industry are the same just one is digital and the other uses tangible,real-world materials. No matter what you still need a blueprint, to purchase land, to aquire a physical address, setup internal utilities, lay a foundation and structure, do the aesthetics and lanscaping, etc. Currently there is no union or organization to help us web designers out so until then your only hope to make decent money just might be to outsource.

Your web design degree is not a 100% scam but the industry is so new and dynamic that it’s almost impossible to find a school with lessons plans that are up to date. It’s hard to find teachers that can really hand code HTML, CSS, PHP, MySQL, JavaScript and the rest of the server-side nd client-side technologies because of the vast amount of skills it takes to design user friendly GUIs, proper valid HTML code, cross-browser CSS styling, secure PHP and server-side engineering as well as database architecture, Linux skills for the administration side, SEO techniques and about 200+ areas critical to most projects. If you want to dedicate your life to this or you might end up looking like a starving artist to your family, friends and possible clients. If your teachers are able to give up to date lesson plans why wouldn’t they be working on their own million dollar site instead of a teacher’s salary? Proof this industry is very hard to actually compete in.

Outsourcing could be your only option. One client that is willing to pay $1,000USD for a website normally will require 1-2 weeks of your time if you’re real good. At this rate, you eventually will only be able to handle 3-4  projects per month.  If you were to begin outsourcing parts of your design, dev or marketing you can now play project manager, hire some talent for cheap and raise your capability to 5-10 projects should your business begin to take off. You also can’t spend forever doing the work all yourself. When you hit a roadblock during the middle of a project, picking up the book and trying to become a pro overnight on a new technology or protocol is just not rational and often can result in disaster. Your best time and money saving option is to outsource to someone who already knows what you need to implement.

If you are stuck on a roadblock, outsourcing is probably the only option you have.  Finally you can get your projects completed within a reasonable budget and time frame. Let us know if you need help, our How to Outsource articles are here just for that reason. Good luck and don’t ever stop optimizing the process!